For a while I've been looking for a tube-based guitar amplification setup, just for recording. However I don't seem to be finding what I'm after: an extremely low-wattage poweramp, preferrably in 19" racksize. Since it is just for recording I don't mind a shared EQ (or no EQ at all!), nothing needs to be footswitchable and no effects are needed. I know I could get something like a MB20:20 or something but it seems pretty pointless to have a battery of tubes only to tame them with attenuators. The pre-amp and cab won't be a problem, plenty of options around. Anyone able to name some low-wattage tube amps that are still being produced today?
In a worst-case scenario a combo or head is an option as long as their is an FX loop (and a speaker out for the combo), and it isn't too big (size does matter...), but a seperate poweramp is way preferred.
Arjen,
You could get what I use - the Hughes & Kettner Cream Machine. Although no longer produced, there are almost always items on ebay.
You get a 1W power amp (12AX7) and a preamp (also 12A?7). There are several outputs, switchable between Line and Instrument level, so it can be put directly into an amp, a PC or a PA - there's also a jack socket to connect to 8Ohm speakers. If you want a totally clean output, you can bypass the pre-amp stage (there's a pot on the back to set the balance between the "no-pre-amp" and the "pre-amp" output level) - it's also foot-switchable.
The housing is designed for 19" racks, being 1 slot high and 1/2 slot wide (9,5").
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Good call. I remember an occasion cream machine in a local store here, should have gotten it but didn't. I just checked ebay and there are currently two cream machines for sale in europe. I have absolutely no idea how ebay works at all (I only use a local dutch version of it) so I'll need to do some reading. :D
By the way, is it possible when sending it to a PA to deactivate any cab sims (does it have that actually?) and send it through other cab sims? I assume it sounds better when send into a proper guitar cab instead of a PA? And is it possible to hook up any other pre-amp to it when bypassing the internal pre-amp?
Thanks! :)
By the way, is it possible when sending it to a PA to deactivate any cab sims (does it have that actually?) and send it through other cab sims? I assume it sounds better when send into a proper guitar cab instead of a PA? And is it possible to hook up any other pre-amp to it when bypassing the internal pre-amp?
Here's a link to the User's manual, that explains in far more detail than I can:
http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/downloads.php?mode=downloads&mode=downloads&pk_art=&pk_id=30&pr_id=86&docID=1048
The main difference between a cab and a PA is the sound colouration of the speakers, which is the reason for the cab-emulator.
You can hok what you like, in front of the cream machine, as long as the output is at instrument level.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN
Thanks again, will read that, will probably answer all my others questions I might get.
What about condsidering driving a 100 watt tube amp into a dummyload. Add a couple line outs and a stereo out the combinations to connect are endless. The tone is beyond what most guitarist would ever imagine.
Joe
Or mabye just a fender pro junior. They are great for micing up and recording.
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I love this amp and it is switchable from 16W to 5...
http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=VINTAGE16&CID=VINT
If it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing.
Here's an interesting amp/manufacturer
http://www.torresengineering.com/torresengineering/suplowpowtin.html
I always thought to try one out but never did.
Also you can turn up some other cool stuff googling 'micro watt amp'.
Here's a few more that will have the audience begging for more.
Krank, Wizard, Dr. Z Amplification
joe
